CONTENTS

Introduction

1. The physical facilities

1.1. Functions and general design

1.2. Holding rooms

1.3. Laboratories and general and special purpose procedure rooms

1.4. Service rooms

2. The environment in the holding rooms and its control

2.1. Ventilation

2.2. Temperature

2.3. Humidity

2.4. Lighting

2.5. Noise

2.6. Alarm systems

3. Care

3.1. Health

3.2. Capture

3.3. Packing and transport

3.4. Reception and unpacking

3.5. Quarantine, isolation and acclimatisation

3.6. Caging

3.7. Feeding

3.8. Water

3.9. Bedding

3.10. Exercising and handling

3.11. Cleaning

3.12. Humane killing of animals

Introduction

1. The member States of the Council of Europe have decided that it is their aim to protect live animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes to ensure that any possible pain, suffering, distress, or lasting harm inflicted upon them, as a consequence of procedures being conducted upon them, shall be kept at a minimum.

2. It is true that some procedures are conducted under field conditions on free-living, self-supporting, wild animals, but such procedures are relatively few in number. The great majority of animals used in procedures must for practical reasons be kept under some sort of physical control in facilities ranging from outdoor corrals to cages for small animals in a laboratory animal house. This is a situation where there are highly conflicting interests. On the one hand, the animal whose needs in respect of movement, social relations and other manifestations of life must be restricted, on the other hand, the experimenter and his assistants who demand full control of the animal and its environment. In this confrontation of interests the animal may sometimes be given secondary consideration.

3. Therefore, the European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals Used for Experimental or Other Scientific Purposes provides in Article 5 that: "Any animal used for intended for use in a procedure shall be provided with accommodation, an environment, at least a minimum degree of freedom of movement, food, water and care, appropriate to its health and well-being. Any restriction on the extent to which an animal can satisfy its physiological and ethological needs shall be limited as far as practicable."

4. This appendix draws up certain guidelines based on present knowledge and practice for the accommodation and care of animals. It explains and supplements the basic principles adopted in Article 5. The object is thus to help authorities, institutions and individuals in their pursuit of the aims of the Council of Europe in this matter.

5. Care is a word which, when used in connection with animals intended for or in actual use in procedures, covers all aspects of the relationship between animals and man. Its substance is the sum of material and non-material resources mobilised by man to obtain and maintain an animal in a physical and mental state where it suffers least and performs best in procedures. It starts from the moment the animal is destined to be used in procedures and continues until it is humanely killed or otherwise disposed of by the establishment in accordance with Article 11 of the Convention after the close of the procedure.

6. The appendix aims to give advice about the design of appropriate animal quarters. There are, however, several methods of breeding and keeping laboratory animals that differ chiefly in the degree of control of the microbiological environment. It has to be borne in mind that the staff concerned will sometimes have to judge from the character and condition of the animals where the recommended standards of space may not be sufficient, as with especially aggressive animals. In applying the guidelines described in this appendix, the requirements of each of these situations should be taken into account. Furthermore, it is necessary to make clear the status of these guidelines. Unlike the provisions of the Convention itself, they are not mandatory: they are recommendations to be used with discretion, designed as guidance to the practices and standards which all concerned should conscientiously strive to achieve. It is for this reason that the term "should" has had to be used throughout the text even where "must" might seem to be the more appropriate word. For example, it is self-evident that food and water must be provided (see 3.7.2 and 3.8).

7. Finally, for practical and financial reasons, existing animal quarters equipment should not need to be replaced before it is worn out, or has otherwise become useless. Pending replacement with equipment conforming with the present guidelines, these should as far as practicable be complied with by adjusting the numbers and sizes of animals placed in existing cages and pens.

Definitions

In this Appendix A, in addition to the definitions contained in Article 1.2 of the Convention:

a. "holding rooms" means rooms where animals are normally housed, either for breeding and stocking or during the conduct of a procedure;

b. "cage" means a permanently fixed or movable container that is closed by solid walls and, at least on one side, by bars or meshed wire or, where appropriate, nets and in which one or more animals are kept or transported; depending on the stocking density and the size of the container, the freedom of movement of the animals is relatively restricted;

c. "pen" means an area enclosed, for example, by walls, bars or meshed wire in which one or more animals are kept; depending on the size of the enclosure and the stocking density the freedom of movement of the animals is usually less restricted than in a cage;

d. "run" means an area closed, for example, by fences, walls, bars or meshed wire and frequently situated outside permanently fixed buildings in which animals kept in cages or pens can move freely during certain periods of time in accordance with their ethological and physiological needs, such as exercise;

e. "stall" means a small enclosure with three sides, usually a feed-rack and lateral separations, where one or two animals may be kept tethered.

1. The physical facilities

1.1. Functions and general design

1.1.1. Any facility should be so constructed as to provide a suitable environment for the species housed. It should also be designed to prevent access by unauthorised persons.

Facilities that are part of a larger building complex should also be protected by proper building measures and arrangements that limit the number of entrances and prevent unauthorised traffic.

1.1.2. It is recommended that there should be a maintenance programme for the facilities in order to prevent any defect of equipment.

1.2. Holding rooms

1.2.1. All necessary measures should be taken to ensure regular and efficient cleaning of the rooms and the maintenance of a satisfactory hygienic standard. Ceilings and walls should be damage-resistant with a smooth, impervious and easily washable surface. Special attention should be paid to junctions with doors, ducts, pipes and cables. Doors and windows, if any, should be constructed or protected so as to keep out unwanted animals. Where appropriate, an inspection window may be fitted in the door. Floors should be smooth, impervious and have a non-slippery, easily washable surface which can carry the weight of racks and other heavy equipment without being damaged. Drains, if any, should be adequately covered and fitted with a barrier which will prevent animals from gaining access.